What causes phlegm in the throat due to thyroid cancer?

The presence of phlegm in the throat of thyroid cancer patients may be related to tumor compression of surrounding tissues, inflammatory response, or local irritation after surgery. It is necessary to seek medical attention promptly to determine the cause and take targeted treatment.

Thyroid cancer can cause a mucus-filled throat in some cases. This may be due to the compression of the trachea, throat, or nearby neck tissues by the enlarged tumor, which causes local irritation and increased secretions. Thyroid cancer may be accompanied by a local inflammatory response, which can increase discomfort in the throat or make the patient feel a "clogged feeling" in the throat and increased secretions. If the patient has undergone thyroid surgery or radiotherapy, tissue reactions and inflammation after surgery or treatment may also cause symptoms of mucus in the throat. A small number of patients may also have an increased risk of respiratory infections due to the immune response caused by cancer, resulting in increased sputum.

If the above symptoms occur, patients need to pay attention to improving the condition of the throat. First, it is recommended to go to the hospital for examination, such as through bronchoscopy, neck ultrasound or CT scan to understand the local lesions. If an inflammatory reaction is confirmed and accompanied by infection, you can take anti-inflammatory drugs or antibiotics under the guidance of a doctor, such as amoxicillin, levofloxacin, etc.; for thick sputum, you can try to use expectorants such as guaifenesin or ambroxol to relieve it. Drinking more warm water in your daily diet and consuming fruits and vegetables rich in vitamins A and C appropriately can help protect the airway mucosa. Avoid smoking, drinking and other behaviors that irritate the throat to reduce the risk of worsening symptoms.

If the symptoms of phlegm in the throat cannot be relieved for a long time or other symptoms such as difficulty breathing, hoarseness, and worsening neck lumps occur, it is important to go to a professional medical institution in time to identify the cause and receive timely treatment. It is also very important to regularly check thyroid function and tumor development.